Celtics’ Rondo cleared to practice

Saturday

Dec 14, 2013 at 5:42 PMDec 14, 2013 at 6:04 PM

By Scott SouzaMore Content Now

WALTHAM, Mass. — Rajon Rondo is back.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens revealed following Saturday’s hour-long practice that the four-time All-Star was cleared for full contact during a Friday exam on his surgically repaired right knee. Rondo was on the court shooting with the team as practice ended with a custom brace on the knee after Stevens said he went through every aspect of a full team workout for the first time this season.

Stevens said Rondo won’t return to game action until at least Jan. 1, but the full medical clearance for practice represents the biggest step back yet for the point guard who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament last Jan. 25 in Atlanta.

“He was not cleared 100 percent until (Friday) for practice,” Stevens said. “He has done some stuff that he had been cleared for along the way. He’s doing more and more and more and today he did the most he’s done.”

Stevens said Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery on Feb. 14, cleared Rondo for full contact during a trip that included team physician Dr. Brian McKeon and other members of the team’s medical staff.

Not talking

Rondo declined media requests for interviews following his coach’s revelation. He last spoke about his progress Monday in New York, telling reporters he was going to be patient with his progress and will not rush back before he is ready.

Stevens said he used the opportunity of a morning practice after a night game to rest some of his backcourt and throw Rondo back into the fire.

“Today was a perfect day to do it,” Stevens said. “That’s one reason why, even though we went short, we went really hard for 45 minutes.”

Stevens said the timetable for Rondo to play in a game will remain fluid based on his progress now that he has cleared this major hurdle in his recovery.

“It doesn’t look like we’re going to see him on the court anytime this month,” the coach said. “Hopefully, as we get into January, he will be closer.

“He won’t play in games until after the first of the year. We’re talking in big generalities there. It might mean a month from now, it might mean six weeks from now. There are a lot of different variables that need to be met.”

Surprising start

Still, that hasn’t kept the coach from starting to think about how he will implement him back into a team that has surprised most by climbing into first place in the Atlantic Division in Rondo’s absence.

“It still isn’t going to present itself anytime in the very, very near future,” Stevens said. “My focus is what we can do Monday (vs. Minnesota). But certainly you’re thinking about how you’re going to, not only ease him into it, but also how you are going to manage everything around that.

“There are a lot of good players who are playing at a high level. The key is to continue those guys playing really well and add in another very good player.”